„We created STEALTH 2.0 to fulfill my true needs as an exploration diver and a cave instructor.
I felt that we need something minimalistic, yet flexible. Streamlined, double shell, with capable weight system.
It had to be as simple as possible, but not simpler.”
STEALTH 2.0 is not the first sidemount system.
But the first with the ability to be used for
all kind of dives.
But the true value of the
Stealth 2.0 is our community
Trusted by explorers, used by passionate divers.
STEALTH 2.0 has been key to over 20 cutting edge and global exploration projects.
Many more yet to come.
It’s also your contribution
BY CHOOSING AN XDEEP product, YOU HELP US DIRECTLY SUPPORT explorers and environmentalists to discover, protect and better understand OUR underwater world.
STEALTH 2.0 was created thanks to the support and help from many great divers who shared their knowledge, ideas and passion with us.
Thank you!
Trusted by explorers, used by passionate divers.
STEALTH 2.0 has been key to over 20 cutting edge and global exploration projects.
Many more yet to come.
It’s also your contribution
BY CHOOSING AN XDEEP product, YOU HELP US DIRECTLY SUPPORT explorers and environmentalists to discover, protect and better understand OUR underwater world.
STEALTH 2.0 was created thanks to the support and help from many great divers who shared their knowledge, ideas and passion with us.
Thank you!
In 2009 there were very few sidemount systems in the market, and those available were far from perfect.
Patrick Widmann felt that there was a gap to be filled. He wanted to use his experience to create an extremely flexible, durable and easy to use sidemount system, capable to excel in multiple environments from Mexican caves, to the cold waters of Europe and tropical seas.
STEALTH 2.0 wasn’t Patrick’s first attempt to create innovative sidemount equipment. Before he started to work with XDEEP, other attempts were made with a different manufacturer.
„I simply wanted to have a tool to fulfill my teaching and exploration needs. I thought that if I share my ideas with manufacturer, it will be an easy job to make a great product.
After months and months of work, we finally had something. I've called it STEALTH. I believed that it was better than most of the rigs at the time, but still it was bulky and not as flexible as I wanted.
I was so disappointed with the result and how slow the things were going, so I decided to stop it and focus on teaching.”
After the failure of his first try, Patrick was understandably devastated and wasn’t sure if he still wanted to put his energy into product design.
But fate had other ideas.
In spring 2011 Artur Sartowski, Patrick’s friend, met Piotr Czernik, XDEEP founder and CEO. Shortly after, Patrick and Piotr scheduled a meeting in Aix-en-Provence, France.
„I was working in the office when Artur called me: ‚Hey, I’m looking for the manufacturer for my Mexican friends’.
Few days later, I had a call with Patrick. The first contact was made, and it was a time to meet. But the distance and lack of free time made it difficult.
I had already planned a short vacation in south of France in June, when a few weeks later Patrick called me again: 'I'll be in Provence in June.'. It turned out, that we planned to be in the same city on the 21st.
I still believe it was fate.”
Believe or not, but the fundamental design of the STEALTH 2.0 was created during one, intense, 5 hours design frenzy.
From the first moment, Piotr and Patrick felt that they were the right people in the right place, and together they could design something very special.
Combining Patrick’s experience in sidemount diving, exploration and teaching, with Piotr’s knowledge of product design, engineering and ergonomics, resulted in several innovative ideas and a completely new approach to the harness design.
„I truly felt that we are about to create something big. Piotr turned out to be a brilliant engineer. He immediately turned my every single request into one or more solutions or features.”
„I was simply astonished with Patrick's knowledge. He was not only replying to my questions in an extremely detailed way, but was able to productively criticize my ideas and provide me with the reasons why something wouldn't work.”
Then the difficult part started. Turning the ideas into a working product took nine months of hard work.
The shape of the wing, the weight pocket and the core of the harness - everything was being changed and tested time and again.
We wanted to have an extraordinary product, with no compromises, and in the spring 2012 we finally said: yes, it’s perfect!
We called the new rig STEALTH 2.0, because it was Patrick’s second attempt to create world’s best sidemount system.
In April 2012 we got the CE certification as the first true sidemount rig in the market.
Shortly after, in late May, the very first pieces of the STEALTH 2.0 Classic were delivered to Protec Mexico.
At that time nobody suspected it would achieve such a massive success.
„When I got the first 10 pcs in my hand, I was unbelievably happy.
But I also thought that these 10 pcs will be enough for a year, as sidemount was just a small niche at that time.
It quickly turned out, how much I was wrong.”
„As a cave diver, I was extremely satisfied with Classic and had no need to change it. But customers wanted the BCD connected to the harness.
About mid-2013 Piotr started to work on the BCD semi-permanently attached to the harness to fulfill the requests from customers, but I wasn't convinced."
At first glance, the task seemed to be simple: just make an attached version of our CLASSIC BCD.
But what in hindsight is obvious, in 2013 was unknown. There were other 'attached' BCDs on the market, but their design we felt was flawed and we didn’t wanted to take an inspiration from them.
We wanted to have a streamlined BCD with 19 kg of lift, at the same time keeping the biggest advantage of the CLASSIC: perfect location of the bladder.
„The first version of TEC wing was ready quite fast. But it quickly turned out that it's far from perfection and we need to address several issues.
We spent countless hours on testing different solutions and ideas. We got great help from Marcin Chochorowski, Nabil Elbendary and Tomasz Michura, who helped us with testing and sharing their insights."
Final version of STEALTH 2.0 TEC was ready in December 2014 and we were extremely happy with it. It was sleek, streamlined and easy to use.
The only thing we needed, was the CE Certificate.
In June 2015 the STEALTH family grew, adding the new TEC/REC BCDs.
STEALTH 2.0 became the world’s first truly modular sidemount system, ready for any challenge.
From cave exploration to deep diving in cold waters - STEALTH 2.0 could be perfectly configured for every diver needs.
„The only thing missing at this time, was a fully redundant BCD for wetsuit users.
While making STEALTH 2.0 TEC was not an easy job, putting a second bladder and keeping it streamlined, doubled the difficulties.”
At first glance the STEALTH 2.0 RB is the same as the standard version.
But to make it perfect, we had to change the shape of the bladder and utilise our compact inflator adapter from the NX Series backmount product line.
It's not easy to improve something great and what has become a true legend.
For many years rumours have surrounded a highly anticipated and even mythical STEALTH 3.0. We won't be rushed.
Since 2018 we have tested many new ideas and already three new solutions have been patented. Some day, the successor to the STEALTH 2.0, full of unique features will be introduced.
But when you ask?
When we feel it's perfect.
